The Buffalo Sabres continue their road trip on Thursday with a short trip north to play the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is a three-game road trip that began on Tuesday in Montreal, and one they were fortunate to get a point from.
The Sabres watched as the Canadiens scored three straight goals to take a 3-1 lead into the third period. Fortunately, Tage Thompson and Olen Zellweger would score in the third period and forced overtime, but the Sabres came up short in the shootout.
This season has not gotten off on the right foot, as they are now 3-3-1 and have plenty of underlying issues that need to be addressed, from their goaltending to their special teams. However, there is one notable trend that is a stark contrast to what they were doing last season and why they were so successful.
Buffalo Sabres need to find a way to get the lead going into the third period
Through the first seven games of the season, the Sabres have yet to have the lead going into the final period in any of them. In fact, they have trailed in six of their first seven games, and only the game against the Florida Panthers was the one in which they were tied with their opponent.
The Sabres have been really good in the third period, though, outscoring opponents 8-3 and have been able to overcome multiple goal deficits against the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, and most recently Montreal.
Last season, the Sabres were almost unbeatable when they had the lead going into the third period with a record of 35-2. When including games they were also tied after the second period, the Sabres were still very good and had a 46-8-6 record.
One of the reasons they had the lead or were tied with their opponents in 60 of their 82 games last season was that they won the second period. Last season, the Sabres held a goal differential of +23, which was the best mark of any period, but this season they are already -9 in the middle period.
The Maple Leafs are in a similar position to the Sabres early in this season as they are trying to find some success with a 3-3-1 record. If the Sabres want to give themselves the best chance possible at a road win, they need to get the lead before the third period, as the Maple Leafs are 2-0-0 when they have the lead after two, but 1-3-1 when trailing or tied.
For the Sabres, they unfortunately are going into the game without their captain after Lindy Ruff described him as 'doubtful' for this game. It won't be easy, but securing the lead going into the third period for the first time this season will certainly help.
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